Local businessman takes on KFC over trademark issue

A local businessman is going up against a very large restaurant chain over a trademark issue.

Brian Mastrosimone of Pittsford owns several small businesses in the Canandaigua area including a farm market, boat rental and concierge service, and he wants to put all of those businesses under the umbrella name of “Finger Lakin’ Good.”

That got the attention of Kentucky Fried Chicken which feels the name is too close to its “finger lickin good’”slogan.

Mastrosimone says when he and his friends came up with the name, he really didn’t think he’d have a legal fight on his hands.

“When you say, did I think KFC was going to be upset by it? No, not really because I’m not really infringing on anything they’re doing, I didn’t mention anything about fast food restaurants or chicken or the colonel or anything like that, I represent a region and I’m doing so much within the region,” he told WXXI News.

Mastrosimone says the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already approved his use of the slogans “Finger Lakin’ Good” and “Finger Laking Good.”

A KFC spokesperson provided this response: “’It’s Finger Lickin’ Good’ is one of KFC’s oldest and most important trademarks. We wish Mr. Mastrosimone well in his business endeavors, but we must defend our trademarks against anything that might weaken them or confuse our guests.”

Mastrosimone is trying to get more time to respond to KFC’s legal papers. Meantime he is also trying to raise money for his legal bills through a Go Fund Me page and by selling T-Shirts.